Jakarta. Jakarta is hosting the 2017 World Memory Championship at the Mercure Conference Center Ancol Hotel in Jakarta this weekend.

The competition was initiated by the Indonesian Memory Sports Council, a chapter of an international organization that aims to gather intelligent individuals who excel in science and have good memorizing skills.

This is the first time Indonesia has been appointed to host the competition, which involves teams from 21 countries.

"The event is an opportunity to show the world that Indonesia is able to hold a big competition like this," Esthy Reko Astuti, tourism development deputy at the Ministry of Tourism, said in a statement.

There are 10 competitions during the event, including for children, young adults, adults and seniors.

Participants are competing for several trophies, 200 medals and total prize money of Rp 100 million ($7,400).